29 years after Hammond initially opened the gates to his ethically questionable theme-park, Spielberg´s celebrated dinosaur science-fiction saga reaches its grand finale (spoilers)
So far, we have seen the giant reptiles run free on the territory of the original park grounds, then again in the first of the new movies on the same island but under different management and lastly the amusement park setting was replaced by a mysterious mansion serving as a secret dino-auction venue. For the big ending they obviously couldn´t just go back to Isla Nublar. Not only had the dinosaurs in Fallen Kingdom already crossed the ocean -though not willingly- and massively reduced their securely warranted distance to humanity, but a beloved action series like this hasn´t kept its audience gripped by decreasing the scale. Therefore, in order to go out with a proper bang, there seemed to have been no other option than to expand Jurassic World to literally the entire world.
We are shown a flying beast as shrieking wedding crasher, a whale-like sea monster making a sudden appearance next to a doomed fishing boat and little children being chased by little dinos. The reptiles have become a common addition to daily life, as well as valuable black-market goods, falling prey to hunters and criminals of every sort. Since the events of the second film Claire and Owen have settled down in an isolated cabin in the woods, attempting to raise and protect Maisie, the much sought-after teenage clone girl. But of course, the head strong Lockwood-replica longs to abandon her closed-off safety bubble and explore the rest of reality. Which is why she quickly ends up kidnapped and transported to BioSyn, causing her adoptive parents to go on a rescue mission. Meanwhile, Ellie Sattler and Dr Alan Grant make their long-awaited return, determined to expose the origin of the mutant-locusts plague, aided by Malcolm. The latter already sums up the problem of the movie in combination with its greatest asset. Old and new coming together, exchanging poignant remarks and advice and Jeff Goldblum once again being iconic. That´s all wonderful and a guarantor for glowing eyes and contented sighs among the more dedicated crowd of wannabe-raptor-trainers. But who cares about suspiciously abnormal insects if there are actual dinosaurs walking around in the background? Ellie Sattler has apparently taken on some kind of profession related to agricultural research and is faced with the increasing destruction of fields that grow crops other than BioSyn. When she sees the creatures for the first time, she seems to be just as awestruck as nearly three decades before, in contemplation of a long-necked herbivore. However, fife preceding blockbusters full of pointy teeth, sharp claws and terrifying rawrs clearly represent a reason to question the threat level of genetically-altered locusts in comparison to an abundance of prehistoric reptiles populating the globe. After all, dinosaurs are meant to be the centre of the story, not a video-game-like suspension tool whenever there is a need for death-bringing obstacles along the way. Similarly, Grant´s presence in the context of the plot isn´t thoroughly justified. Of course, he couldn´t have been left out, that´s not what I´m referring to. But the writers didn´t put that much effort into giving his character a valid function in the story line -maybe they were overwhelmed with taking care of the numerous other protagonists, sidekicks and villains. Sattler asks him specifically to accompany her, because ´people listen to him´. Though, once they arrive at the mad scientist´s evil layer masked as highbrow research facility, Alan just stands around casting sceptical glances, while Ellie is the one receiving important information and leading them to where the locusts are hidden. Furthermore, despite the fact that Lewis Dodgson´s hitmen are ordered to capture Maisie as well as Baby Blue, the existence of the raptor-offspring appears to be a mere fan serving attempt to fill the dinosaur quota, overshadowed by the new twist in the clone girl´s backstory. Which simultaneously points to a controversial message, that I only became aware of when leaving the theatre. Human cloning is right. By building up an emotional connection between Maisie´s urge to figure out her place in the world and Charlotte Lockwood´s innocent wish for an unburdened child, any critical aspects in relation to scientifically creating a human being and the ethically crucial consequences of the very possibility of that process are excluded. On the other hand, locusts and dubious genetic viewpoints aside, Jurassic World 3 is a very enjoyable action adventure. There are all the high-tension dinosaur-close-up moments, vicious killer beasts chasing after our brave heroes, a bit of humour and wit sprinkled into the dialogue and on top of that a good portion of nostalgia. In addition, I was positively surprised by how well they handled the rather large group of protagonists, not making it feel overcrowded by waiting till the second half of the film to merge the two camps. Whereas, I´m not quite sure what to make of the ending. Yes, there is something pleasantly utopian and harmonic about dinosaurs and elephants marching side by side through the savannah. However, I´m just not buying into the idea of sudden peaceful coexistence, when a few scenes earlier the line between life and death was still drawn precariously thin in the murderous face of a so-called giganotosaurus. But, then again, maybe that is the magic of cinema. The power to make us believe that somewhere out there might be a place where dinosaurs and humans can share a planet -as long as we let loose of logic and over-thinking and allow the screen to transport us into escapism.
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